This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising campaign, dubbed "Save Point." The initiative, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, blends video‑game play, live streaming, and charitable giving into a single, accessible event that aims to rally both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike. Fiona Baxter, the organisation’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community.
"We wanted to create a platform where we could interact with gamers not just as donors, but as partners and advocates," she said. "Not everyone can train for a marathon or climb a mountain, but virtually anyone can pick up a controller or start a stream, making this format far more inclusive and reflective of the diverse ways people can support our cause." The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier this year. Baxter emphasised that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with influencers and gamers beyond the two‑day window. "If we can introduce more people in this space to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have built a new cohort of supporters who might return to game for us again," she explained.
"Success, for us, will be measured by the lasting connections we forge, not just the funds raised on the day." Because Save Point is a first‑time venture for the charity, Baxter highlighted the learning potential embedded in the event. "The feedback we collect—from technical hiccups to audience engagement tactics—will be priceless. It will help us refine and expand future gaming‑focused fundraisers, making each successive event larger and more impactful," she noted. Baxter also praised gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming arena is setting a "new, innovative standard" for charitable support.
She described the community as one built on a shared love of narrative, imagination, and escapism. "When we channel that passion into real‑world change, we showcase just how powerful and influential the gaming world can be," she said. Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which kicks off in November 2026. This campaign shines a light on the stark reality that, for millions of children around the globe, the most critical gifts this Christmas will not be toys or sweets but essential supplies—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter underscored the contrast by saying, "In the digital age, you can have anything delivered to your doorstep with a tap. Yet for countless children this season, the deliveries they need are lifesaving provisions, not playthings." The event itself will be streamed across multiple platforms, allowing participants to set up their own fundraising livestreams, engage viewers with challenges, and encourage donations in real time. Interested individuals can sign up via the Save the Children website, where they will receive guidance on how to configure their streaming setup, integrate donation links, and promote their personal fundraising goals.
Beyond the immediate financial target, Save Point aims to raise awareness about the broader humanitarian crisis affecting children during the holiday period. By leveraging the storytelling power inherent in gaming—whether through role‑playing narratives, cooperative quests, or competitive tournaments—the charity hopes to translate virtual victories into tangible outcomes on the ground. The partnership with TheKapFantastic also serves as a proof of concept for how influencer collaborations can amplify reach.
Earlier in the year, TheKapFantastic’s solo stream attracted thousands of viewers and generated a significant sum for the charity, demonstrating the potential scale when a charismatic creator aligns with a cause. Looking ahead, Baxter envisions a future where gaming events become a staple in the charity’s fundraising calendar. "We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible," she said. "From e‑sports tournaments to charity speed‑runs, the opportunities to engage the gaming community are vast.
Each new format gives us a chance to innovate, learn, and ultimately help more children in need." Save Point represents a strategic pivot for Save the Children, acknowledging that younger demographics increasingly spend their leisure time online and that traditional fundraising methods may not resonate as strongly with these audiences. By meeting gamers where they are—on Twitch, YouTube, and other streaming services—the charity hopes to build a bridge between digital entertainment and humanitarian action. In summary, Save Point is more than a one‑off fundraiser; it is a pilot for a sustainable, community‑driven model of charitable giving that leverages the reach, creativity, and enthusiasm of the gaming world.
The event promises to deliver both immediate financial support for children facing urgent needs this Christmas and a lasting framework for future collaborations between the nonprofit sector and the vibrant, ever‑growing gaming community. To join the movement, participants can register their interest through the official Save the Children portal, where they will receive detailed instructions on setting up a fundraising livestream, tips for engaging audiences, and information on how their contributions will directly impact children in crisis during the holiday season.